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Decorating takes a certain skill.
You have to have the right eye for color, shape, pattern and texture. Just as critical is placement and proportions.
No matter how skilled you think you are, put an area rug that’s too small in a room and even if it’s the perfect color, style, and shape it will look weird.
There are certain decorating rules; basic must know how’s that anyone who’s trying to decorate their space should learn.
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Decorating 101
Area rugs, lighting and artwork have certain decorating rules one should follow. Fail to follow these rules and your house runs the risk of looking like a three-ring circus instead of a work of art. Here’s what you need to know.
Area Rugs
The general rule of thumb when deciding on the size of the rug, is to measure the room and subtract 24 inches from the length and width to determine the proper size. Or pick the size of rug based on how you want to frame the furniture in the room.
1. Bedroom
There are two different ways to use an area rug in a bedroom. The primary purpose of an area rug in the bedroom is to ensure you feet hit that rug when you step out of your bed.
You can either place a runner or a three by five foot rug on each side of the bed. Or, position a large rug (8 by 10 feet for a queen or 9 by 12 for a king) under the bed so that it sticks out 2 to 3 feet from the edge of the bed including the foot of the bed. The rug should start a few feet from the top of the bed. The night stands don’t have to be on the rug.
Read: 7 Easy Tips To Keep Your Bedroom Clean
2. Living Room
If your living room is very large (think great room size), and you’ll be placing your furniture in the center of the room, pick a rug where all the furniture will be resting on top of the rug.
If the furniture will be against a wall, you have two choices: have a small rug where a sofa or arm-chair does not rest on the rug or opt for a larger rug where the sofa and arm chairs are half on and half off.
3. Dining Room
Only one option is allowable: Find a rug where the tables and chairs fully rest on the rug even when the chairs are pulled out and in use. Usually and 8-by-10 or 9-by-12 will do the trick.
Artwork
Nothing looks stranger than looking at a piece of artwork that is placed too high on the wall. Unless you’re the jolly green giant, it’s going to be uncomfortable to be craning your neck to look at it.
Instead copy what museums do and keep art work at eye level.
Read: My Home, My Loves, My Ideas – Jeanette Fournier Artwork
Here’s the rule of thumb for hanging pictures:
Artwork should be hung so it’s between 57 and 60 inches from the floor. If most of your family members are on the shorter side aim on the lower end of the scale, if taller go higher.
If you have ceilings that are higher than eight feet, you can place artwork a little above the 60 inches rule of thumb.
Once you’ve picked your spot, be consistent throughout the house
Exceptions to the rule:
If hanging art above a bed or sofa, have the bottom of the piece hang 8 to 10 inches above the furniture. You want it to look visually connected, not floating above the piece of furniture.
Also the art should cover roughly two-thirds the width of the piece of furniture.
If you’re hanging something smaller, consider hanging scones or other art to fill out the wall.
For art that’s taller than 120 inches, make sure the bottom edge is a foot from the floor.
Lighting
Table and Floor Lighting
The bottom of a lampshade in a living room should be about eye level when you’re seated. This ensures an unobstructed view.
In the bedroom a bedside lampshade should be at chin level when you’re sitting in bed.
Read: 3 Killer Ways To Lower Your Electric Bill And Save All Year Long
Pendants
Pendants hung over a kitchen island or bar or over a dining table should hang 30 to 34 inches above the surface.
Pendants hung over an area where people are walking should have a clearance of seven feet.
Read: Deep Cleaning Your Kitchen the Easy, Professional Way
Sconces
Sconces should be hung at or above eye level.
If hanging multiple sconces, like in a hall way, space them at least 8 to 10 feet apart.
If you’re hanging them on a bathroom between a mirror, place them 36 to 40 inches apart to produce an even and flattering glow.
If you’re hanging them at your bedside, hang them so they’re at eye level when you’re sitting in bed. You want them to be low enough to cast the right light for reading but high enough you don’t see the light bulb.
Knowing the decorating basics ensures your home looks inviting instead of foolish.
Pictures are hung appropriately, rugs fit as they should and lighting is appropriate to the space and use.
Use these simple but strategic decorating tips to pull your house together and make it look fabulous.
I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.
